We were lucky to catch up with Candace Lam recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Candace, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Hi, I am Candace Lam with Love Is Sweet Events. I am a professional certified event planner who specialize in weddings, social events, corporate events, a florist in our event industry for over 11 years. I have done over 600 + events and helped many couples, corporate clients to create their dream events, guide them through the process and execute our visions. I am excited to share what it takes to be successful, these 3 key elements are what I am preaching everyday:

1. Understanding of what I want in my life
2. What are my priorities
3. Communicate and talk to myself

I strongly believe in the saying “You become what you believe.” The initial key to success lies in having the mindset that you’re already successful. To me, success means knowing what I want in life. For instance, I carefully select the clients I wish to serve and prioritize my time by choosing who I want to spend it with. Additionally, I make sure to take moments for self-reflection, having conversations with my inner self to ensure that my current path aligns with my desires and aspirations.

Candace, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Candace Lam, a devoted mother, wife, and daughter, deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my loving family—my husband, son, and daughter—who form the cornerstone of my life. In 2012, I founded Love Is Sweet Events, based in Pasadena, CA, driven by my passion for creating meaningful experiences. As the founder, I lead a dedicated team specializing in event planning and floral design, with a focus on weddings, social gatherings, and corporate events across Southern California. My journey into entrepreneurship stemmed from a desire for fulfillment beyond conventional employment. Dissatisfied with previous roles, I yearned to make a genuine difference in others’ lives. Thus, I seized the opportunity to carve my path by establishing Love Is Sweet Events, aspiring to extend our reach to encompass destination events and continue enriching lives through memorable celebrations.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me has been word-of-mouth referrals. Satisfied clients who have experienced the level of service and creativity that Love Is Sweet Events offers often recommend our services to friends, family, and colleagues who are in need of event planning or floral design. These referrals not only validate the quality of our work but also generate a sense of trust and confidence in potential clients, making them more likely to choose us for their own events. Additionally, we also leverage our online presence through social media platforms and our website to showcase our portfolio and attract new clients who may be searching for event planning services in our area.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our business faced unprecedented challenges as gatherings were prohibited, making hosting events nearly impossible. With clients canceling or requesting refunds, and others seeking to postpone their events, our small business encountered significant cash flow constraints. To navigate this difficult period, we took proactive measures, reaching out to all our clients before they contacted us. By reassuring them of our continued support and offering flexible arrangements, such as extending the validity of their initial reservation fee for up to two years, we aimed to alleviate their concerns. This proactive approach not only provided reassurance to our clients but also garnered immense support from them. Many of our loyal clients entrusted us with planning their weddings over the next 2-3 years. Meanwhile, internally, we explored alternative financial avenues like the PPP loan to sustain us through these tough times. Open communication within our team regarding our budget situation and sharing resources for financial assistance allowed us to overcome numerous challenges together, demonstrating the strength of our teamwork and resilience in the face of adversity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.loveissweet-events.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveissweetevents/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoveIsSweetEvents/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/love-is-sweet-events-pasadena

Image Credits
Vincent and Lucas from SparkleStudio www.sparklestudioss.com IG @Sparklestudio_ss Akiko from Akiko Liu Photos IG @Akikoliuphotos Mar from Mar Alvarado Photography IG@Mar_photoswithlove Allen from Hearts and Cameras IG@heartsandcameras